People are willing to worship in the church and yet they are being effectively locked out of the church by the church authorities

Gerry Gallagher

Church authorities cited a dwindling congregation and a �2m bill to repair the 129-year-old building as the reasons behind the closure.

However, about 100 members of the congregation turned up for Sunday mass and are planning to hold another service next week.

During the service Father Des Wilson said Saint Joseph's was a "holy place under threat from development".

He argued that not all development could go ahead in good conscience.

Protest walk-out

Secretary of the Sailortown Cultural and Historical Society Gerry Gallagher said parishioners strongly believed the building must be maintained as a church.

"We're hoping Bishop Walsh will listen to the people," he said.

"At a time when church attendances are declining across the western world, here we have a situation where people are willing to worship in the church and yet they are being effectively locked out of the church by the church authorities."

Last Sunday about 50 people walked out of mass during a sermon by the Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr Patrick Walsh.

Residents have claimed the Catholic Church is preparing to sell off Saint Joseph's as part of a multi-million pound development. That claim has been denied by the church.